Female-Led Showhomes
Celebrating Battersea’s Trailblazers
To coincide with International Women’s Day on 8th March, we are proud to announce that The HiLight in Battersea, London, has unveiled two striking new showhomes – conceived and delivered entirely by an all-female-led team, from developer leadership through to creative direction, design and artisan execution. The collaboration is led by Marie-Julie Gheysens, Head of UK at Ghelamco, working alongside a female creative network spanning the UK, Europe and the United States. Contributing studios include Parisian textile house Élitis, Milan-based Nilufar and British designers Pinch and Cox London.
The project reflects a wider shift taking place within high-end residential design, where women are increasingly shaping the tone of luxury interiors. Rather than focusing purely on visual impact, today’s female-led design collaborations are often placing greater emphasis on atmosphere, emotion and sensory experience – creating homes that feel as powerful as they look.
Located on the historic site of the former Price’s Candle Factory, The HiLight has partnered with acclaimed US design studio House of Honey for its UK debut. Together we have created two immersive apartments on the 15th floor, accompanied by a bespoke hand-painted corridor mural that sets the narrative tone before visitors even step inside. The apartments draw inspiration from historic female figures connected to Battersea, while also celebrating the contemporary women shaping the creative industries today.
Renowned for its storytelling-led interiors, House of Honey approached the project almost like a gallery installation. Rather than staged spaces, the apartments are designed to feel lived-in and emotionally layered, with moments of narrative scattered throughout the rooms. Visitors might notice handwritten notes left on a desk, an open recipe book in the kitchen celebrating the artistry of a rising chef, or a sound playlist featuring the voices of revolutionary women. A subtle scent lingers in the air, inspired by both strength and softness.
These small details create environments intended to be felt as much as seen.
The Evelyn
A Space for Fantasy
The first showhome, The Evelyn, is a one-bedroom apartment inspired by pioneering cabaret singer and BBC trailblazer Evelyn Dove.
The design channels her glamour, defiance and theatrical presence. In the bedroom, ombré walls dissolve into a golden haze while cashmere drapery softens the light. Sculptural lighting and walnut stands cast dramatic shadows across the space.
In the living room, a watercolour-washed sofa fringed with tassels takes centre stage beneath a chandelier that feels both Parisian and rebellious. Mirrored reflections, faceted stone lamps and carved sculptures create a layered world of performance and elegance – polished yet raw, refined yet boldly expressive.
The result is a space that feels alive with personality, echoing Dove’s refusal to fade quietly into the background.
The Ethel
A Space for Invention
By contrast, The Ethel offers a deeper and more contemplative atmosphere. This two-bedroom residence draws inspiration from novelist, travel writer and activist Ethel Mannin, exploring themes of intellectual curiosity and creative rebellion.
Botanical prints meet molten silver finishes, while blush velvet sits against shadowy walls. A dedicated “Room of Her Own” forms the heart of the apartment – a surreal writer’s retreat designed for reflection and imagination.
Hands and eyes appear on the walls as watchful companions, while a typewriter sits waiting on a desk that invites its occupant to pause, write and linger. A molten silver desk paired with a blush velvet chair anchors the room in equal parts intimacy and defiance.
Throughout the apartment, every object feels purposeful – less about decoration and more about sparking thought.
A Story That Begins Before the Door Opens
The narrative of the showhomes actually begins before visitors reach the apartments themselves.
A hand-painted corridor mural by artist Maria Cristina lines the approach, depicting portraits and scenes inspired by Battersea’s most remarkable women alongside recognisable local landmarks. At each doorway, hand-scripted text introduces the imagined occupant within, setting the stage for the story waiting behind the door.
Beyond the showhomes themselves, The HiLight is also positioning itself at the forefront of wellbeing-led living in London. The development will become the capital’s first residential scheme to offer a private rooftop terrace dedicated entirely to recovery and wellness.
Facilities will include infrared, wet and dry saunas, ice baths, chromotherapy lighting, vitamin C showers, aromatherapy experiences, a wellbeing bar and grounding spaces designed to support both physical and mental recovery. Residents will also be able to book full-body health scans and IV drips as part of the building’s wellness offering.
